Fort Pickens closing, but for how long?

Superintendent Dan Brown announced today that the Gulf Islands National Seashore is looking for volunteers to assist with operating the Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas, and Naval Live Oaks Visitor Centers.(Photo: News Journal file photos)

Painful memories of what occurred last month and a shortage in staff prompted Gulf Islands National Seashore to close the Fort Pickens area from 5 p.m. today through the weekend.

Last month, the National Seashore staff failed to evacuate the area in time, leaving campers stranded as thunderstorms shut down sand-covered Fort Pickens Road.

“We’re particularly sensitive after we trapped 40 campers a few weeks ago,” said Superintendent Dan Brown, who cited predicted winds and high surf for closing the area. “For what we’re seeing in these predictions, we’d probably have the road closed two to four hours. The problem is it happening over Thanksgiving, and we don’t have staff available. They’ll be at home enjoying holiday with their families.”

Brown said the National Seashore staff will assess road conditions Monday to determine if the Fort Pickens area is ready to reopen. Fort Pickens has been closed for 15 of the past 30 days.

Sand dunes between the road and Gulf of Mexico have eroded in the last month. The eroded sand dunes make the road susceptible to flooding and damage from events such as normal rainfall and high surf.

Yellow flags flew Tuesday on Pensacola Beach.

“Surf is expected to build in the coming days,” said Dave Greenwood, beach water safety chief. “There is a strong possibility that red-flag conditions occur for Thanksgiving Day.”

Brown lamented the fact that the Federal Highway Association postponed realignment of Fort Pickens Road to next year.

The National Seashore received $3.4 million from FHA to realign a mile-and-a-half stretch of the road located closest to the Gulf. The FHA is handling all of the design, permitting and construction. Brown said the project is scheduled for September after the next sea turtle nesting season.